Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-14

SEVERAL MEN WOUNDED IN THE FrGHr-soNE OF
THEN SUPPOSED TO HAVE USED BALL CARTRIDGE
By MISTAKE ITRR PLAN OF RATTLE.

SEVERAL MEN WOUNDED IN THE FreHr-soxK OF
THEN SUPPOSED TO HAVE USED BALL CARTRIDGES
By MISTAKE -rHK PLAN OF RATTLE.
A telegram 10 the New York Sun from Newport
last night says: The naval attack on Coasters
Harbor Island, the headquarters OF the naval
training squadron and the war college was made
to-day, but brilliantly as the various maneuvers
were executed, and successful as the affair was,
from military standpoint, a cloud hangs over ii,
owing to the fact that several Of the participants
were wounded marine on the Saratoga was the
most seriously wounded, and one man from the
Atlanta, one from the Portsmouth, and two from
other ships received injuries. An oficer said
tonight that at present it is impossible to say how
the men became possessed Of dangerous ammuni.
ton, but 1t Is thought that some OF the men must
have had ball cartridges left over from target
practice. Another explanation is that 1t Is not
unlikely that several OF the men put small pebbles
into their guns An investigation will be made.
W. R. Livermore of the Engineer CORPS. and Lieut..
T. H. Bliss OF the artillery branch OF the service.
BY direction OF Admiral Luce, commanding the
Lieut. Bliss reduced the plan OF the battle to writ
ing, which Is as follows:
PLAN OF THE BATTLE
Assuming that the island is In possession Of the
enemy, 1t is proposed to reduce it by a combined
attack on land and water. The fleet has taken
possession OF Sakonnet River and the bridges
connecting the north OF the island with the MAIN
land are under its control. The North Atlantic
squadron, during the night Of october u and IL,
has forced its way through the Dutch Island
passage, and is now anchored short distance up
the bay. Transports with ten or fifteen thousand
later thar the night OF the 18th. OF the enemy's
troops now occupying the island about s, 600 are
on the eastern .a shore confronting our fleet on
confronting the North Atlantic squadron, and two
or three hundred are occupying the city Of New
port. Fort Adams is the only defensive work sup
posed to exist. 1t has a few field pieces, but no
heavy guns bearing upon Coasters Harbor Island,
nor is any fire TO be feared FROM the otherislands or
any other vessel In the harbOr 1t Is anticipated that
after the landing OF our troops upon the eastern
shore Of the island the enemy will be forced to
take up defensive position such as that occupied
him In as narrow a limit as possible, and to this
end the North Atlantic squadron is expected to so
dominate the western shore of Rhode island as to
enable the land forces on their arrival to turn the
left flank OF the enemy'S position. The fire from
the fleet and four gunbOats OF light draft will be
enough TO secure the coast far south as COdding
tons Cove. The possession OF Coasters Harbor
Island is extremely desirable site for batteries
to aid in final reduction OF Newport and Fort
Adams and for the immediate advantage OF taking
in the rear and flank the enemys position on Man.
tOnomi Hill. IL Is thought. moreover, that by
Point and the neck connecting 1t with the MAIN
land. while our gunbOacs sweep the northern
shore, we shall be able to prevent the occupation
OF that important position, and that our troops
would be better protected from attack In over
whelming numbers than II we attempted to occupy
COuulnStOn 5 RUM ltScu
THE FIGHT
The morning opened clear and bright but
throughout the day strong wind prevailed that
seriously interfered with the hundreds Of cot
tagers and citizens who remained on Coasters
HarbOr Island and on COddingtOn Point to witness
the novel and interesting fight. The vessels OF the
North Atlantic squadron remained north OF Cod
dington's Point, and soon after o'clock the signal
was given from the flagship Richmond Tor the
comprised some 700 or 500 men from the Rich-
mOnd, Galena Dolphin, Atlanta and Osipee, IN
der command OF Commander w. b. Hon. 1t was
OF blue jackets and artillery. The defense
on Coasters Harbor Island, commanded by
Commander Davis, OF the training squadron,
composed OF some three hundred men from
the Saratoga, Portsmouth, and the New Hamp-
shire. They were entrenched near the War Col
leye buildings, and awaited the coming OF the bri-
gade. The embarkation OF the attacking party
was accomplished In splendid order. All the i'm
PIGMENTS OF war, such as howtzers ana Calling
guns, were brought into use and landed without
difficulty. The embarkatiOn was made In two flo
tllaS OF boats, which came along with good speed,
the marines having the right. FlOtilla No. came
down TO point Oh the west side or the island, and
the men landed with wonderful alacrity and good
order, being covered from the enemy by earth
works thrown up near the beach. The marines were
thrown out in three lines OF skirmisherS, the men
In fOtilla No. 2 having meanw h1le successfully
landed at small cove at the north end OF the island
The advance OF the blue jackets was made with
considerable elaboration and caution, but, not
outstanding this act, the defense repulsed them,
occasionally driving them back TO their original
positions. The maneuvers OF the final advance
were, In the estimation or the military men who
were observing the proceedings, executed In the
most Brilliant manner, and reflected the highest
credit upon the attacking party. The discipline
was admirable, the men being under perfect con-
troll. Tue battle and the operation, were as nearly
as possible a repetition OF the attack upon Gen.
Prescott during the Revolutionary war. The um-
p1res for the attacking party were NAL LivermOre
and Lieut.. Bliss, while Capt Field, OF the 4th ar
tillery, and one other Army officer were umpires
for the defense. Admiral Luce, attended by his
stan. watched the proceedings with evident inter-
est, and he expressed himself as highly pleased
with the success OF the days proceedings, regretI
Llng deeply, however, the accidents.